Fighting glove apparatus

ABSTRACT

A strap system integrated with a fighting glove is provided. The strap system includes a plurality of loops, which may include cups. Each loop includes an internal portion sized to snuggly fit over a tip of a finger. The strap system further includes a plurality of finger bands. Each finger band includes a first end opposite a second end. Each of the first ends are attached to a cup. The present invention further includes a terminus in which the second ends of the finger bands meet and are attached. A connector is operable to connect the terminus to at least one of a palm and a wrist of a user. The terminus may be connected to the user such that the finger bands pull the fingers towards the palm of the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/033,899, filed Aug. 6, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fighting gloves and, more particularly, to a fighting glove that keeps fingers bent.

A very common and serious problem in Mixed Martial Arts is inadvertent eye-poking. It can greatly delay a fight or cause a fight to stop due to a possible debilitating injury. Another common problem in Mixed Martial Arts relates to the cage in which the fighters compete. The cage includes a chain-link fencing which, when sticking fingers inside the links, can easily fracture finger bones. Currently, Mixed Martial Arts gloves allow the fingers to move freely, allow for full finger extension, and allow for separation of the fingers, which causes the problems mentioned above.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved fighting glove apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus comprises: a plurality of loops each comprising an internal portion sized to snuggly fit over a tip of a finger; a plurality of finger bands each comprising a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end of each of the plurality of bands is attached to one of the plurality of loops; a terminus attaching the second ends of the plurality of bands together; and a connector operable to connect the terminus to at least one of a palm and a wrist of a user.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the strap system of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a mixed martial arts glove that maintains bent fingers to help prevent eye poking. The glove of the present invention is designed to bend the fingers at an angle, which makes it more difficult for a fingertip to inadvertently poke an opponent's eye. Also, the fingers on the glove may be webbed, preventing the fingers from entering the openings on the chain-link fencing, and thereby preventing broken fingers.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention includes a strap system 20 to bend a user's fingers while relaxing the hand. The strap system 20 includes a plurality of loops 21, which may include cups. Each loop 21 includes an internal portion sized to snuggly fit over a tip of a finger. The strap system 20 further includes a plurality of finger bands 22. Each finger band 22 includes a first end opposite a second end. Each of the first ends are attached to a loop 21. The present invention further includes a terminus 23, 24, 25 in which the second ends of the finger bands 22 meet and are attached. A connector 26 is operable to connect the terminus 23, 24, 25 to at least one of a palm and a wrist of a user. The terminus 23, 24, 25 may be connected to the user such that the finger bands 22 pull the fingers towards the palm of the user.

The terminus 23, 24, 25 of the present invention may be formed of a transverse band 23, at least one palm band 25, and an elastic portion 24. The transverse band 23 may be substantially perpendicular with the finger bands 22 and may be attached to the second ends of the finger bands 22. The palm band 25 may be a plurality of palm bands 25, such as three palm bands 25. The palm bands 25 attach the transverse band 23 to the elastic portion 24. The elastic portion 24 may be attached to the connector 26. In certain embodiments, each of the transverse band 23, palm band 25, finger bands 22, loops 21, and elastic portion 24 may be made of a flexible, stretchable, elastic material. Therefore, when in use, the fingers may be pulled towards the palm in a relaxed position by the finger bands. However, due to the flexibility, the user may extend their fingers if needed.

The present invention further includes a glove 10. The glove 10 includes an outer portion formed to cover a back of a hand and an inner portion formed to cover the palm of the hand. The outer portion may include a plurality of padded segments 12, such as padded leather segments. The inner portion may include a stretchable and breathable webbing 36. The finger bands 22 and the terminus 23, 24, 25 (the transverse band 23, the at least one palm band 25, and the elastic portion 24) may be disposed in between two fabric layers forming the inner portion. Alternatively, the glove 10 may be formed to fit over the finger bands 22 and the terminus 23, 24, 25. The glove 10 may further include a plurality of finger sleeves having opened tips, thereby exposing the caps 21. A webbing 32 may connect the finger sleeves together. Further, the finger sleeves may each include at least one aperture 34 acting as ventilation for the glove 10.

The glove 10 of the present invention may include a wrist strap 14 having an outer surface and an inner surface. The wrist strap 14 releasably attaches to the connector 26, thereby securing the connector 26 to the palm or the wrist of the user. In certain embodiments, the connector 26 and the wrist strap 14 are connected by a hook and loop fastener. The wrist strap 14 includes a first hook portion 28 and a second hook portion 30 disposed on the inner surface. The first hook portion 28 is releasably attachable to a loop portion of the connector 26 and a second hook portion 30 is releasably attachable to a loop portion 18 disposed on an outer surface of the wrist strap 14. A stretchable elastic material 16 may be disposed in between the first and second hook portions 30, allowing the wrist strap 14 to adjust in length, and snugly secure over the wrist of the user.

The rubber loops and fingertip cups attach to the finger bands that run down the inner portion of the hand to the wrist. The bands are secured to a transverse band, which is attached to the elastic portion. The elastic portion is attached to a hook and loop fastener. When the finger bands are pulled away from the fingers, the bands force the fingers to bend at an angle. The lower hook and loop fastener at the wrist may then be wrapped up and attached to the hook and loop fastener on the leather wrist strap. The leather wrist strap may then be wrapped once around the wrist and secured on a hook and loop fastener. The webbing that may be attached in between the fingers prevents the fingers from separating individually and prevents finger fractures.

The glove may be manufactured in layers. The posterior layer may start with leather wrapped around padding approximately ½ inch thick. The next layer, working in toward the interior, may be another layer of leather between the outer padding and the interior of the glove that goes over the back of the hand. These layers may all be stitched together with strong nylon thread or attached by some other method. The fingertips would then have the finger cups threaded to the interior and exterior leather with nylon thread for strength. A soft nylon material may be threaded to the interior, posterior aspect of the glove to the outer leather. This is the layer rests against the skin of the back of the hand for comfort. The palm aspect of the glove may be layered in leather as well starting with the outer leather layer, stitched to the inner nylon layer that rests against the skin for comfort. In between these two inner layers may include the strap system that allows the glove to perform its intended function. Again, the inner and outer layers of the palm aspect of the glove may be stitched together with strong nylon thread. The fingertips may also be stitched to the finger cups to allow the fingers to be pulled downward with the nylon threads. Both the anterior and posterior leather layers of the glove are then stitched together at the seams to create the structure of the glove. At the wrist, a thick leather strap is stitched with strong nylon thread to the area of the glove that would cover the wrist. This strap may be longer than the width of the glove at the wrist to allow the strap to be wrapped around the wrist.

An attachment method such as a hook and loop system may be connected to the wrist strap to allow the nylon strap system pulling the fingers down to be secured to the strap, the strap may then wrap around the wrist, and fasten to another hook and loop patch that will be stitched to the outer aspect of the strap to secure the whole system in place.

In order to use the present invention, a fighter may place the gloves on their hands in a typical fashion. Once the hand is completely inside the glove and reasonably comfortable, one may take hold of the tab or connector that protrudes from the palm of the glove at the wrist, and pull down away from the fingers. The fingers within the glove will bend at an angle thereby pulling more of the nylon strap system tab out of the glove at the wrist. When the fingers are bent at an angle that is deemed appropriate, the tab may be bent upward and the hook and loop tab on the strap system may be secured to the wrist strap. The wrist strap may then be wrapped twice around the wrist and may be secured to the hook and loop fastener to secure the whole system in place. The present invention may be used in any sport where fighting exists to help prevent damage to opponent's eyes or damage to fingers when fighting.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of finger loops each comprising an internal portion sized to snuggly fit over a tip of a finger; a plurality of finger bands each comprising a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end of each of the plurality of bands is attached to one of the plurality of loops; a terminus attaching the second ends of the plurality of bands together; and a connector operable to connect the terminus to at least one of a palm and a wrist of a user.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the terminus comprises: a transverse band attached to the second ends of the plurality of bands; at least one palm band having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the transverse band; and an elastic portion connecting the second end of the at least one palm band to the connector.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a glove having an outer portion formed to cover a back of a hand and an inner portion formed to cover the palm of the hand, wherein the outer portion comprises padding.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the finger bands and the terminus are disposed in between two fabric layers forming the inner portion.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the glove comprises a wrist strap releasably attachable to the connector.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the connector and the wrist strap comprise a hook and loop fastener.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the wrist strap comprises a first hook portion releasably attachable to a loop portion of the connector and a second hook portion releasably attachable to a loop portion disposed on an opposite side of the wrist strap.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the glove comprises a plurality of finger sleeves webbed together.
 9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the glove comprises a plurality of finger sleeves comprising opened tips.
 10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein inner portion comprises a stretchable webbing material. 